Baggage trackers use a tiny lithium battery and communicate by bluetooth. Air NZ now says they are dangerous and should not be used. The Aviation Security Service in NZ says it was blindsided by this. Lufthansa said the same thing a while back then withdrew its objection. Apple says not dangerous. These devices certainly help passengers in the new reality of missing baggage being commonplace. Provided the passenger can establish connection with the bluetooth signal that is. Do you use these devices, will you continue to do so for as long as aviation security is OK with them?
Update: Air NZ has now named Apple Air Tags and Tile as prohibited items unless they are switched off.
Is Air NZ saying they're dangerous because they transmit via Bluetooth, or because of their lithium batteries? The general opinion when Lufthansa (very briefly) banned AirTags was that the real reason was that Lufthansa was embarrassed by accounts of lost luggage. In any case it was a PR disaster for Lufthansa and I'm sure that it will be no different for Air NZ!
Air NZ spokesperson pointed to the International Civil Aviation
Organisation’s (ICAO) technical instructions for the safe transport of
dangerous goods.
"...lithium batteries contained within devices are allowed
in checked baggage, but the device must be completely switched off"
I agree with Sibelius: Air NZ is embarrassed by rising accounts of lost baggage and this will be a PR disaster.
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Baggage trackers - dangerous or not?
tommygun
tommygun
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 16 Oct 2017
Total posts 282
Baggage trackers use a tiny lithium battery and communicate by bluetooth. Air NZ now says they are dangerous and should not be used. The Aviation Security Service in NZ says it was blindsided by this. Lufthansa said the same thing a while back then withdrew its objection. Apple says not dangerous. These devices certainly help passengers in the new reality of missing baggage being commonplace. Provided the passenger can establish connection with the bluetooth signal that is. Do you use these devices, will you continue to do so for as long as aviation security is OK with them?
Update: Air NZ has now named Apple Air Tags and Tile as prohibited items unless they are switched off.
Please wait...
Sibelius
Sibelius
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 06 Aug 2017
Total posts 181
Is Air NZ saying they're dangerous because they transmit via Bluetooth, or because of their lithium batteries? The general opinion when Lufthansa (very briefly) banned AirTags was that the real reason was that Lufthansa was embarrassed by accounts of lost luggage. In any case it was a PR disaster for Lufthansa and I'm sure that it will be no different for Air NZ!
tommygun
tommygun
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 16 Oct 2017
Total posts 282
Air NZ spokesperson pointed to the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) technical instructions for the safe transport of dangerous goods.
"...lithium batteries contained within devices are allowed in checked baggage, but the device must be completely switched off"
I agree with Sibelius: Air NZ is embarrassed by rising accounts of lost baggage and this will be a PR disaster.